Wire-stitching machine



June 3, 1930. H. a. ALLEN 1,760,863

WIRE STITCHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 IN VEN TOR:

f/awaro G ,4//z/7.

ATTORNEY.

June 3,

H. G. ALLEN WIRE STITCHING MAQHINE Filed Dec. 9. 1927 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. I Howard 6 4// ATTORNEY.

June 3,1930. H, ALLEN 1,760,863

WIRE STITCHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9, 1927 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTQR. Howard G /4//e/2 A TTORNEY.

June 3, 1930. H. s. ALLEN WIRE STITCHING MACHINE Filed Dec. 9. .1927

4 Shee ts-Sheet 4 A TTORN E Y.

. Patented June 3, 1930 make for UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE HOWARD. e. ALLEN, or NIAGARA FALLS, ivnw YORK, ASSIGNOR TO E. It. BLISS cone PANY, INC., or NIAGARA FALLS, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION on NEW YORK 'WIRE-STITCHING MACHINE Application filed December 9, 1927. Serial No. 238,754,

This invention relates to a wire stitching machine, and it has to do especially with what may be termed a combination machine for placing stitches in fibre shipping cases or the like under varying conditions.

Accordingly, the invention contemplates a machine equipped with a blade anvil, a table or support upon which a case, especially one filled with articles 'is supported, and an anvil in the form of a post; all of which are for cooperation with a single stitcher head. While these features are not broadly new in a stitching machine, the invention contemplates novel and improved constructions which greater efliciency in utility of the machine.

One of the features of the invention lies in the table, both in the manner in which the table issupported so that it can be quickly adjusted for cases of difierent sizes, and in the table per se, for supporting a case so that it can be moved with respect to the stitcher head. Another feature of the invention is the manner in which the blade anvil is mounted so that it can be folded or moved out of the way when it is not in use. The anvil is mounted so that when it vis moved to inoperative position it does not project outwardly from the machine, but lies along a portion of the body of the machine so as to eliminate the element of danger which is present with the relatively sharp blade anvil projecting outwardly from the machine.

Another feature of the invention lies in the post anvil construction which is such as to facilitate the manufacture thereof and reduce manufacturing costs, and which permits a quick and easy adjustment of the anvil with respect to the stitcher head.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the machine showing the table and the blade anvil in operative position with the post anvil removed.

Fig. 2 is a view of the stitcher head of the machine and the post anvil.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view through the head-of the post anvil showing details of construction thereof.

Fig. 4. is a side elevation of the anvil head with parts cut away for the purpose of showing features of construction.

Fig. 5 is a sectional view through one of the adjusting members showing a construction which effects a frictional engagement for maintaining any given adjustment.

Fig. 6 is a detail view of the blade anvil showing part of the housi of the machine in seption to depict the mounting of the blade anvi Fig. 7 is a perspective view with parts of the housin cut away, showing the mounting of the blade anvil. I

Fig. 7" is a detailed view of the construction affording frictional controlling means on the pivotal movement ofthe anvil.

Fig. 8 is a view similar to Fig. 6 of the blade anvil in inoperative position.

Fig. 9 is a detail of the quick lifta'djustthe work supporting table, showing how the table is composed of'rollers, which permits movement of the work on the table.

Fig. 12 is a perspective view with parts cut away and parts in section showing the table and the manner in which it is mounted.

Fig. 13 is aside elevation of the table showing in dotted lines sidewise or in-a'nd-out adjustment of the table, and also showing in dotted lines an exaggerated angular position to which the table can be adjusted, this view showing the table adjusted with respect to its support from that shown in Fig. 12.

Fig. 14 is a plan View showing the mounting of the table for the in-and-out or side wise adjustment.

Fig. 15 is a plan View showing the rotational adjustment of the table.

Thestitch-ing machine, as shown in Fig. 1, consists of the usual base 1, pedestal 2, and housing 3 which carries a stitcher head 4. This stitcher head is operated by a suitable motor 5 through suitable gears shown at 6. An intermittent operation of the stitcher head can be effected by operation'of a suitable foot lever 7.

For the purpose ofsupporting a work table,

right table support 16*. .These parallel le-- vers are adjusta le, and in any position hold the table support 16 in true vertical posltion. In Fig. 9 two positions of adjustment are shown, one in full lines and one in dotted lines. 4

For the purpose of adjusting the table, a rod 17 is pivotally connected to the lever 15 as at 18. This rod is provided with ratchet teeth 19, shown in Fig. 10. A suitable handle 20 is provided with a central bore, through which the rod 18 extends, and this handle is fixed to the lever construction by a pin 21 provided with a handle 21 and associated with the handle through means of an eccentric 22 (Fig. 10). This eccentric is provided with notches 23 which are engaged by a spring pressed plunger 24, the purpose of which will presently be explained. The handle also carries a spring pressed dog 25 which engages in the ratchet teeth ofthe rod 17. A depressible finger piece 26 is connected to the dog, which, when depressed, releases the dog from the ratchet teet It will be understood that when sealing containers of different sizes, the table must necessarily be adjusted with respect to'the stitcher head. To make an adjustment, the o erator grasps the handle 20 and depresses t e button 26 to disengage the dog from the ratchet teeth. The table, together with its supporting frame, may now be moved, vertically, and when in proper position the dog is caused to again engage the ratchet teeth to secure the table in this position. Sometimes the distance between the ratchet teeth does not provide an extremely accurate adjustment as there may be\some variation in the containers of a given size. To make correction for this variation, the eccentric 22 is provided. After the ratchet teeth construction has been adjusted as near as can be, the handle 21 is moved and the eccentric acts to effect fine adjustment. The turning of the handle 21 rotates the eccentric which has the effect of varying the distance between pomt 18 and the point where the arm 16 is pivoted to the support member 16. The table is raised or lowered accordingly as this distance is shortened or lengthened. The arrangement is such that the eccentric can position the table at a number of points between two of the notches 19, and preferably one-half turn of the eccentric is sufiicient for this purpose. The spring pressed plunger 24 maintams the ad ustment. A pair of springs, 27

are connected near one end to the lever 15 at a point adjacent'the support 11, and to the lever 16 at a point adjacent the outer end of the lever. These springs act to counterbalance the weight of the table to thus provide an exceptionally easy adjusting movement.

This table mounting is exceptionally advantageous, in that it permits very quick adjustment of the table so that there is practically no delay in adjusting the machine for use with different sized containers. Moreover, the construction affords a fine adjustment to suit variations which may occur in cases of thesame size.

The table itself consists-of a frame 30 provided with a plurality of parallel rollers 31. It is of course understood that a case being stitched must be moved with respect to the stitcher head. Heretofore it has been the practice to provide the table with a multiplicity of balls mounted for universal movement in sockets upon which a loaded contain.- er rests so that it can be moved around. lVith this sort of table a corner of the case ofttimes jams down in between two or more of the balls and interferes with the ease of the movement of the container. lVith the present table or support, this disadvantage is eliminated-as the rollers are closely positioned and there is no chance for a corner of the box to cause a jam. Moreover, it is well known that gravity rollers, or rollers such as shown here, tend to keep the article moving thereover and traveling in a straight line. Thus, stitches which are placed in the container by the operation of the stitcher head as the container is so moved, are disposed in a straight line without any special effort on the part of the operator.

The table is mounted on the upright-support l6 by means of a spider 60 which has a collar 61 which fits over the upper end of the support 16*. This collar may be rotated to effect rotation of the adustable table and may be fixed in adjusted position by means of a set screw 62; Two legs of the spider are pivotally connected to a supporting frame 67, as at 63. A dependingsupport 64: is-

pivoted to this supporting member 67-and the third leg of the spider is carried by this support and engaged on opposite sides by nuts 65 and 66 which are screw threaded onto the depending support. By adjustment of these nuts 65 and 66 the table can be adjusted angularly with respect to the spider, which angular adjustment is'etfected by the sup porting member 67 moving on the points 63 as fulcrum points. i

This supporting member 67 is slotted as at 68 for receiving angular members 69 secured directly to the Work table. This construction provides for in-and-out or sidewisc adjustment of the table, and the adjustment may be fixed by set screws 70. Thus, it will be seen that not only is the table mounted for quick vertical adjustment with the major and minor adjustment, but the table is universally mounted upon its support so that it can be adjusted rotationally, angularly, and in-and-out or sidewise with respect to its support. The dotted line '50 of Fig. 13 represents angular and in-a'nd-out positions to which the table may be adjusted. In Fig. 15 the dotted line represents rotational adjustment.

The blade anvil 32 is mounted on a block 33 which is carried by a pin 34 extending transversely through the housing of the machine (Figs. 6 to 8). This provides for pivotal movement of the blade anvil in a vertical plane. Operating position of the anvil is shown in Fig. 6, and inoperative or folded position of the anvil is shown in Fig. 8. In order to hold the anvil in operative position a pin 35 is provided which is insertable through holes in the housing and which pro vides an abutment to the rear of the block 33. The pin may be grooved at 36 for reception of a plunger 37 pressed inwardly by spring 37 which is backed by bolt 37 to hold the same in place. Also, preferably, the pin is securely fixed to the machine by means of a chain or other suitable connecting device 38 to prevent loss thereof. The block 33 is provided with adjusting screw 39 which abuts directly against the-pin 35. It will be seen that by movement of this adjusting screw the position of the blade anvil is adjusted. In folded position the blade anvil lies downwardly along the pedestal of the machine and within the contour thereof. Thus, when the blade anvil is not in use it does not pro ject outwardly from the machine, in which case there is danger to those around the ma chine, especially inasmuch as the blade anvil is a relatively sharp instrument.

In order that the blade anvil may be ad- 'usted transversel of its mountin set screws 33 and 33 may be disposed in the body of the machine for engaging opposite sides of the block 33. The manipulation of these set screws will readily e seen to adjust the block and the-blade anvil transversely of its mounting. These set screws are positioned close to the pivotal mounting of the block and are adjusted with only sufiicient tightness to position the anvil and to permit the block 33 and blade anvil to readily pivot to and from operating position. A set screw 34 may be taken through each side of the housing of the machine and abutted against the pin 34 with an interposed piece of relatively soft metal 34". These set screws are tightened sufficiently to provide friction betwcen the soft metal insert and the pin 34, just sufiicient to prevent the blade anvil from falling downwardly to inoperative position and so that the blade anvil can easily be moved to ,this position by overcoming the slight friction produced. This makes for a nicety of action in the movement of the anvil. j

The table and the blade anvil are used with each other largely in sealing cases which are filled with articles ready to be shipped or otherwise handled. In the original setting up of the containers from flat blanks. of fibre, or equivalent material, the use of a post anvil is often necessary. In this case the table is moved to one side by actuation of the handle 14 and the blade anvil is folded downwardly and a suitablepost 40 isfixed on a socket 41. The upper end of this post carries an anvil 42 which cooperates with the stitcher head (Fig. 2).

The post may advantageously take the form of a pipe or tube as shown in Fig. 3. The anvil 42 extends within the tubular member 43 and is fixed to the member as by means of a pin 44. The tubular member 43 fits within the end of the post. A compression spring 45 is disposed between the anvil and a cross member 46, said cross member extending through suitable openings in the post and in the tubular member 43, and said cross member being providcdwith screw threads in its ends. Around the post is an adjusting collar 47 provided with interior screw threads. This collar is cut away as at-48 for the reception of locking segments 49 fixed to the post by suitable screws 50. Extending around on the interior of the collar, inalignment with the cutaway portion 48, is an annular groove. One segment 49 may be placed through the cut away portion and fixed in place by the screws, and the collar may then be turned to position the cut away portion properly for receiving another locking segment. Preferably, two locking seg ments are provided.

l/Vhen pressure is brought to bear upon the anvil 42, the anvil and the tubular member 43 may move downwardly to compress the spring 45. The cross member 46 fixes the location at the bottom of the spring, and the openings in the member 43 are elongated for permitting this relative movement between it and the cross member 46. Thisgives a resilient action in the operation of stitching. The compression spring holds the anvil and its tubular member upwardly with the member 46 engaging the bottom of the groove in the tubular member. To make an adjustmentthe collar 47 is rotated. Inasmuch as the collar is in fixed position by reason of the locking segments, the cross piece 46 is raised or lowered, the slots, in the post being elongated as shown at 44 for this purpose.

To maintain this adjustment it is desirable to haveno relative movement betweenv the collar and the cross piece'and, as shown, in Fig. 5, the cross piece 46 may be cored out as at 51 for receivingan insert 52 packed up in a compression spring 53. The insert is preferably screw threaded at its outer end, and is preferably of hard fibrous material. This insert exerts an outward pressure against the screw threads in the collar to cause sufficient friction to prevent rotative movement'of the cross piece 46 after an adustment is once made. Moreover this construction takes up any looseness due to wear on the screw threads and always maintains the cross piece 46 tightly in the collar.

The post 40 can be quickly dropped into its socket for use and the table and blade moved out of the way. A usual retaining socket for the post (not shown) can be fixed along side of the pedestal of the machine for holding the post in an upright position when it is not in use.

Claims:

1. The combination with a wire stitching machine having a pedestal and a projecting portion carrying a stitcher head, a blade anvil, a support for one end of the blade anvil, a horizontally extending pivot for carrying the support, a locking pin insertable and removable from the pedestal against which the support'ahuts to hold the anvil in outwardly projecting position, and an adjustable screw carried by the support-and which directly abuts against the said pin.

2. A table supporting construction for a wire stitching machine or the like, comprising a pair of parallel levers, a support to which one end of each lever is pivotally connected,

a table pivotally connected to the opposite end of the levers and supported thereby, a rod pivotally connected to one lever, an operating handle positioned adjacent the other lever, said operating handle having a bore therethrough for receiving the rod, ratchet teeth on the rod, a dogfor engaging the ratchet teeth, and operable means to disengage the dog from the teeth to permit adjustment of the levers to in turn adjust the position of the table. I

3. A table supporting construction for a wire stitching machine or thelike, comprising a pair of parallel levers, a support to which one end of each lever is pivotally connected, a table pivotally connected to the opposite end of each of the levers and supported thereby, a rod pivotally connected to one lever, an operating handle positioned adjacent the other lever, said operating handle having a bore therethrough for receiving the rod, ratchet teeth on the rod, a dog for engaging the ratchet teeth, operable means to disengage the dog from the teeth to permit adjustment of the levers to in turn adjust the position of the table, and means for making a fine adjustment at any point between any :two of the ratchet teeth.

4. An adjustable table supporting construction for awire stitching machine or the like, comprising a pair of parallel levers each the table in a number of various positions,

and additional means for effecting a table adjustment at a multiplicity of points between any two of the several points of adjustment permitted by the first mentioned means.

5. An adjustable table supporting construction for a wire stitching machine or the like, comprising a pair of parallel levers, said levers being bifurcated at their free ends, the table including a part extending through the bifurcated portions and pivotally connected thereto, means connecting the two levers including a ratchet construction, means operable to effect engagement or disengagement of the ratchet whereby positioning of the levers may be adjusted, and eccentric means adapted to make a fine adjustment of the table between any two given adjustments permitted by the ratchet construction.

6. An adjustable table supporting construction for a wire stitching machine or the like, comprising a pair of parallel levers, said levers being bifurcated at their free end, the table including a part extending through the bifurcated portions and pivotally connected thereto, an operating handle connected with the levers substantially at the point of connection of one lever with the table, a rod pivotally connected to one lever, a ratchet construction operatively connecting the handle and rod, means for eflecting engagement and disengagement of the ratchet constructionto permit adjustment of the levers,

tween the pivotal connection of the said rod I with one of the levers and the connection of the other lever with the said table part to effect a fine adjustment.

7. In a stitching machine, an anvil construction comprising a tubular post, an anvil having a tubular part fitted within the post with a head projecting above the post, said post and anvil having substantially aligned elongated openings thereon, a sleeve having interior threads rotatably mounted on the post, means for locking the sleeve against longitudinal movement with respect to the post, a cross member extending through the openings and engaging the threads on the sleeve, and a spring disposed between the cross member and the head of the anvil for normally holding the head of the anvil spaced from the end of the post.

8. In a stitching machine, an anvil construction comprising a post, an anvil having a head and a body portion disposed in telescoping relation on the post, an adjusting sleeve on the post, a member carried by this adjusting sleeve which supports the anvil,

porting levers.

, machine having a stitching head in fixed po-,

- and spring means disposed between this anvil supporting member and the anvil.

9. In a wire stitching machine, an anvil construction comprising a post having a tubular formation at one end, an anvil having a head and a tubular body portion telescoped within the post, the post and body portion of the anvil having elongated openings, a cross member extending through the openings for supporting the anvil on the post, and.

means for adjusting this cross member longitudinally with respect to the post to adjust the position of the anvil.

10; In a wire stitching machine, an anvil construction comprising a post, an anvil hav ing a. body portion carried by the post in telescoping relation, said post and the body of the anvil having elongated openings, a cross member having screw threads at its ends eX- tending through the openings, a sleeve rotatably mounted on the post having screw threads for engagement with the cross memher, and an expandible member for maintaining the cross member in tight engagement with the sleeve. t

- 11. In awire stitching machine, an anvil construction comprismg a post, an anvil having a body portion carried by the post in telescoping relation. said post and the body of the anvil having elongated openings, a cross member having screw threads at its ends extending through the openings, a sleeve rotatably mounted on the post having screw threads for engagement with the cross memher, said cross member beingcored out at one end, an insert in this coredout portion, and a spring back of the insert for normally urging the insert outwardly to eflect frictional engagement between the cross member and the .sleeve.

12. The combination with a wire stitching machine having a stitching head in fixed position, a support for the'work, comprising a pair of parallel levers each supported at one end, a table carried by the other ends of the levers, adjustable means for permitting pivotal movement of the levers on their support to effect a raising or lowering of the table, and means for counterbalancing the action of gravity upon the table and sup- 13. The combination with a wire stitching sition, a work support, comprising a pair of parallel levers each supported at one end, a table carried by the other ends of the levers.

7 adjustable means for permitting pivotal movement of the levers on their support to effect a raising or lowering of the table, and means for counterbalancing the action of gravity upon the table and support levers, said means consisting of one or more springs connected at one end adjacent the movable ends of the levers and connected at the other ,tioned support, and

endto. a relatively immovable portion of the construction.

14. In a wire stitching machine, the combination of a table for supporting an article to be stitched, a support for the table, means for adjusting this support vertically to position the table vertically with respect to the stitching machine, and adjustable connections between the support and the table including a horizontally disposed pivotal connection and another pivotal connection substantially at right angles to the first which afford substantially universal adjustment of the table with respect to its support.

15. In a wire stitching machine, the combination of a table for supporting an article to be stitched, a-support for the table, means for adjusting this support vertically to position the table vertically with respect to the stitching machine, a secondary support for the table rotatably carried by the first menslidably adjustable means between this secondary support and the table.

16. In a wire stitching machine, the combination of a table for supporting an article to be stitched, a support for the table, means for adjusting this support vertically to position the table vertically with respect to the stitching machine, a secondary support for the table rotatably tween this secondary support and the. table, and pivotally adjustable means between the secondary support and table whereby the table has substantially universal adjustment with respect to the first mentioned suppgrt.

17. In a stitching machine, a table consisting of a plurality of parallel rollers for supporting an article to be stitched, a support for the table, means for vertically adjustlng the support whereby the table can be vertically adjusted with respect to the stitching machine, and a plurality of adjustable connections between the table and the support 1neluding a pivotal adjustment between them which effects substantially a universal adjustment of the table on thesaid support.

18. The combination with a wire stitching machine having a pedestal, and a projecting portion carrying a stitcher head, a blade anvil, a support for one end of the blade anvil, a

'horizontal pivotal mounting in the pedestal ward away from the stitcher head, and adjustable abutting means associated with the support and locking means for adjusting the position of the'anvil in its projecting position.

' 19. The combination with a wire stitching carried by the first men- 'tioned support, slidably adjustable means bemachine having a pedestal and a projecting portion carrying a stitcher head, a blade anvil, a support for one end of'the blade anvil, a horizontally extending pivotal connection between the pedestal and the support, a movable locking member carried by the pedestal against which the support abuts in one position of said member to holdthe anvilin out-. wardly projecting position, said locking 10 member in another position permitting pivotal movement of the blade anvil and'its support whereby the anvil may be folded out of the way, and adjustable means situated at the location ofabutment for adjusting the anvil 5 in its outwardly projecting position.

20. The combination with a wire stitching machine having a pedestal and a portion pro- ;jectin outwardly therefrom for supporting a stitc er head, of a blade anvil, a supporting 2o block for one end of the anvil, the other end of the anvil underlying the stitcher head in operative position, means pivotally mounting the supporting block to the pedestal on a horizontal pivot, whereby said anvil and block may turn on the pivot to fold the anvil downwardly along side of the pedestal, and a stop carried by the pedestal and movable into the path of turing movement of the anvil and its supporting block whereby to engage with and prevent such movement to hold the anvil in outwardly projecting operative position.

21. In a stitching machine, the combination of a stitching machine pedestal, a sup; porting arm projecting outwardly from the pedestal for carrying a stitcher head, a vertical supporting post supported by the pedestal, a bracket swiveled on the post, parallel levers connected with the bracket, a table supported by the levers, means controlling the le,-

I 40 vers so as to hold the table in vertically .ad-

'usted position, and means for holding the racket from swiveling on said post.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

HOWARD G. ALLEN. 

